Indicator



March 31. 1925. 1,531,579

A. L. sol-1M INDICATOR Filed Sept. 26, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l nncnfoz@wf/L 502m/ March 31, 1925. 1,531,579

A. L. sol-1M INDICATOR Filed Sept. 26, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @ma ga/m,

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Patented Mar. 371, 1925.

UNITED STATES l 1,531,579 PATENT oFFlvcE.

ALFRED L. SOHM, 0F CHICAGO, y:F.il'aIiIlN'OIS.

Application med september 2s, 1923. serial No. 664,985.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED L. SOHM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Indicators, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to indicators, and more particularly to apressure o erated. attachment for the cooling systems o motor vehiclesto sound a signal when the pressure in the cooling system increasesbeyond a predetermined point and to permit escape of fluid upon furtherincrease 1n pressure.

The device forming the subject matter of the present invention is animprovement over the construction described and claimed in my copendingapplication Serial No. 609,- 034, filed December 26, 1922.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved valveto control the admission of vapor into the pressure cylinder.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved means foractuating the audible signal.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment of theinvention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a portion of the radiator of a motorvehiclel showing the invention applied, the indicator being shown invertical section,

Figure 2 is a similar view of the indicator showing the parts inoperative position,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on line 3 3 of Figure 2, x

Figure 4 is a similar view Online 4--4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a similar view on line 5--5 of Figure 2, and,

Figure 6 is a detailed unassembled view .of the parts of the indicator.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates generallythe radiator of a motor vehicle having a cooling fluid 2, such as water,therein. The radiator is provided with a filling opening 3, which isscrew-threaded to receive the usual radiator cap. It is further providedwith the usual overflow pipe 4, the upper end 5 of which is disposedwithin the radiator and spaced a slight distance from the top.

The device forming the subject matter of the present invention comprisesa cylinder 6 adapted to be arranged over the radiator to communicatewith the interior through the filling opening, the usual radiator capbeing removed. In this showing, I have illustrated a pair of cross arms7 having an annular flange 8 which is internally screwthreaded for thereception of the external threads on the filling opening. The cross armsare hollow and vapor generated by increase in temperature of the coolingfluid in the radiator is adapted to enter these arms which act as acondenser. The cylinder 1s provided with a base 9, and a threaded tube10 is secured to the base. This tube extends through an opening in theupper secured to the cross arms by means of a nut l1, arranged'on thethreaded portion of the tube and suitable lock washers 12. A nut 13 1sarranged on the lower end of the tube and this nut carries a strainer 14formed of wire gauze or other similar material and adapted to prevententry of dust or dirt into the cylinder of the indicator. The interiorof the cylinder communicates with the interior of the radiator throughthe tube 10. .A, diaphragm 15 is arranged in the bottom of the cylinderand this diaphragm is provided with a central opening 16. An annulargroove 17 surrounds this opening and the material forming the diaphragmis curled upwardly, as at 18, between the groove and the edge of theopening. A basket 19 is supported within the base of the cylinder and isadapted to receive a valve 20. As shown, the basket consists of a diskor plate having a plurality of upstanding arms 21, serving as guides forthe valve. The outer edges of the basket are slightly spaced from thewall of the base to permit passage of vapors or liquid around thebasket. The basket is supported on a plug 22 arranged within the upperend of the tube. The valve consists of a hollow, preferably metalliccylindrical member which is lighter than water and 100 adapted to floattherein. When in normalv position shown in Figure v2 of the drawings,the valve is slightly spaced from the disk 19 by means of projections23, formed on the upper face of the disk. The valve is pro-v 105 videdwith a rounded projection 24 on its upper face, adapted to enter theopening 16. The contour of the projection 24 is such that the valve willsnugly engage the curled portion 18 of the diaphragm adjacent the open110 surface of the cross arms and the cylinder is l 28 to preventleakage of fluids. The piston is provided with a piston rod 29 extendingthrough an opening in the top 30 of the cylinder. As shown, the pistonrod is provided with a shoulder 31, adapted to limit its upwardmovement. A coil spring 32 surrounds the piston and is adapted to beplaced under compression whenvthepistonV is raised to a positionadjacent the top of the cylinder.

As shown, the piston rod is hollow and is p-rovided with a plug 33 atits lower end, adapted to close it and prevent communication between theinterior of the piston rod and the space in the cylinder below thepiston. The cylinder wall is provided with a groove or port 34 to permitpassage of fluid around the piston when the piston is raised to apredetermined point. The piston rod is provided with an opening 35 topermit passage of this fluid into the interior of the piston rod. Awhistle or other audible signal 36 is arranged on the upper end of thepistonrod and is adapted to be actuated by fluid passing through the,opening 35. A suitable cap or cover 37 is arranged over the whistle. Asshown, a pair of washers 38 are secured to the piston rod and asupporting plate or disk 39 is arranged between these washers. The plateis in the form of an irregular disk having radial projections 40 andcertain of these projections are provided with upstanding ends 41,adapted to be secured to the cap 37 to support it.

The top 30 of the cylinder is colored red, as indicated in Figure 3 ofthe drawings, and when the piston is raised in the cylinder by pressureto lift the cap 37, a visible signal is given the operator of themachine that the pressure in the cooling system has begun tol increase.

The device is further adapted to serve as a condenser and the cylinderis surrounded by a jacket 42, spaced from the cylinder wall to form achamber 43. This chamber communicates with the interior of the cylinderthrough openings 44. The diaphragm 16 is provided with projections 45 onits upper face which prevents the face of the piston from contactingwith the upper surface of the diaphragm.

A suitable relief valve is arranged on the overflow pipe to permitdischarge of fluid from the cooling system if the pressure becomes toogreat. As shown, a tubular member 46 issecured to the overflow pipe bymeans of a rubber hose 47. This tubular member is provided with a ballvalve 48, normally retained in closed position by means of a spring 49.A whistle 50 is arranged in the tubular member beyond the spring.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The discharge of fluid from the cooling sysstem is normally prevented bythe valve 48. Anyrise in temperature sufficient to vaporize any of theliquid in the cooling system thus creates an increase in pressure andthe vapors pass upwardly into the cylinder 6. 'lhevapors pass around thevalve 2O into the cylinder and move the piston upwardly. Any upwardmovement of the piston causes a corresponding upward movement of the cap37 and thus uncovers the top of the cylinder which, as stated, ispainted red to give a visible signal of an increase in pressure in thesystem. If the vehicle is continued in operation without locating thecause of the increase in pressure, the piston moves upwardly a furtherdistance, permitting the passage of vapors to the upper portion of thecylinder through the port 34. The vapors pass into the piston rodthrough the opening 35 and below the whistle 36, giving an audiblesignal. If for any reason, the Huid in the cooling system is notreplenished before a dangerous pressure is reached, the valve 48 isremoved from its seat by the pressure of the fluid, overcoming thetension of spring 49 and the uid is discharged through the whistle 50 inthe tubular member 46. The cross arms 7 serve as a condenser in theusual manner and the chamber 43 surrounding the cylinder also serves asa condenser, condensing the vapors and returning them to the coolingsystem. The projections 45 retain the piston slightly spaced from thediaphragm, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, even though thepressure .in the systcm is too low to overcome the weight of the pistonand raise it, and thus preventfree flow of the vapors through theopenings 44 into the chamber 43 at all times.

Particularattention is called to the valve 20 which is constructed toprevent water from passing into the cylinder and out through the pistonrod 29 and whistle 36. Vihile vapors passing through the tube 10 intothe base of the cylinder are flowing around the valve, the valve issufficiently light to float in water and if any water is forced upwardlyby the pressure in the radiator, the rounded projection 24 seats in thevalve seat 18 surrounding the. opening 16 in the diaphragm and preventswater from entering the cylinder.

It is to be understood that the forni of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

l. In a device of the character described, a chamber, a plate arrangedwithin said chamber `and dividing it into an upper compartment and alower compartment adapted to be arranged over the lling opening of anautomobile radiator and communicate with' the interior thereof, saidplate being provided with an opening, a pressure operated member mountedin said upper compartment, a signal adapted to be actuated upon movementof said member, and a float valve arranged in the lower compartment andadapted to be moved upwardly to close said opening when water rises intosaid lower compartment from the automobile radiator.

2. In a device of the character described, a cylinder, a valve chamberarranged below said cylinder and adapted to communicate with theinterior ot an auto-mobile radiator, a piston mounted in said cylinder,a'signal adapted to be actuated upon upward movement of said piston, adiaphragm arranged beneath said cylinder and separating it from saidvalve chamber, said diaphragm being provided with an opening, and ahollow valve arranged in said chamber, said valve comprising asulistantially cylindrical 1 member having a rounded projection on itsupper face adapted to be received in the opening on said diaphragm whenwater rises int-o said valve chamber from the automobile radiator.

3. A device constructed in accordance with claim 2 provided with anaudible signal communicating with said cylinder abovethe piston therein,said cylinder being provided with a bypass, said piston being adaptedto' uncover said bypass to alford communication between opposite ends ofsaid cylinder after the piston has moved a predetermined distance.

4. In a-device of the character described,

a. cylinder, a piston mounted in said cylin"` der, a hollow piston rodconnected thereto and extending through the t0-p of the cylinder, saidpiston rod being provided i ith an opening communicating between lineinterior of the piston rod and the interior of said cylinderabove thepiston, said cylinder being provided with a bypass arranged in the wallthereof adjacent the top to permit fluid to flow from the bottom of thecylinder to the top thereof when the piston has moved to a positionintermediate the ends of the bypass, and a signal'carricd by said hollowpiston rod and adapted to be actuated by fluid passing through saidpiston rod.

5. A device constructed in accordance with claim l provided with anaudible signal communicating with said upper compartment above thepressure operated member therein, said upper compartment being providedwith a bypass adapted to afford communication between the opposite endsof said upper compartment when said pressure operated member has movedto a position intermediate the ends of said bypass.

6. In a device of the character described, a chamber, a plate arrangedwithin said chamber and dividing it into an upper compartment and alower compartment adapted to bearranged over the filling opening of anautomobile radiator to communicate with the interior thereof, said platebeing provided with an opening, a pressure operated member mounted insaid upper compartment, a signal adapted to be actuated upon movement ofsaid member, a supporting plate arranged in said lower compartment andprovided with upwardly extending lugs, and a float mounted in said'lower compartment and normally supported on said lugs, said ioat havinga portion adapted to engage said opening when said float rises due tothe presence of water in said lower compartment from the automobileradiator.

7. A device constructed in accordance with claim y6 wherein saidsupporting plate is provided with a plurality of spaced upstanding armssurrounding said float and serving as guides therefor.

8. In a device of the character described, a cylinder, a valve chamberarranged below said cylinder, said chamber being adapted to be arrangedover the filling opening ot' an automobile radiator and being providedwith an opening communicating with the interior of the radiator, ap1ston mounted in said cylinder, a signal adapted to be i actuated uponupward movement of saidv piston, a diaphragm arranged beneath saidcylinder and separating it from said' valve chamber, said diaphragmbeing provided jvith an opening, a member secured in the opening in'saidvalve chamber, a su porting plate carried byv said member and providedwith upstanding lugs, a plurality of upstanding guide arms surroundingsaid supporting plate, and a float arranged .on

said supporting plate and adapted to be guided by said arms, said oathaving a portion adapted to close the opening in said diaphragm whenwater rises into said valve chamber from the automobile radiator.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED L. SOHM.

Witnesses:

MARTIN' PnTnRsoN, HAYDEN HUNT.

